Ambassadors are representatives of a country living a long way from home.  Embassy’s are locations where the values and interests of another land are demonstrated on otherwise foreign turf.  Right now, American Ambassadors to Sudan are negotiating the release of American citizens in this war torn region … and at the U.S. Embassy in England on July 4, someone who light a sparkler and cook a few hot dogs celebrating American Independence from … ENGLAND!  Ambassadors and Embassies play important roles in the world as we know it.

With this set of observations and definitions, CHRISTIANS … let me remind you of something:  THIS WORLD IS NOT YOUR HOME.  Right now, we are (as Hebrews 11:14-15 implies) “strangers and exiles on the earth.”  Our true home is not Oklahoma (or even America).  This may be where we live, but it is not what most defines us.  We are living in a land “far from home.”

The true home of the Christian is heavenly not earthly.  Our true identity is “in Christ” not “in skin color,” “in gender,” or “in socio-economic status.”  What MOST DEFINES US is not what the world sees, but what God says.  We are not who we used to be … from the moment we have trusted in Christ, the old “us” was crucified with Jesus … and a new “us” is raised to newness of life!  We are not (ultimately) an ethnicity, gender, nationality, or member of a particular political party.  In Christ, we are something far greater, connected to a home that is far grander, and identified with Someone who is far more glorious.  We are children of God, made new in Christ, and living far from our heavenly home. 

So why are we here on earth, and what are we to do while we are here?  Well, we are to be AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST … representing Him before those we interact with.  And, if we are AMBASSADORS, then our churches are “EMBASSIES” where the values of Home are lived out for all to see on this foreign soil.

Remembering this perspective can help keep us going in our lives as “strangers and exiles.”  This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be looking at 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 in part 4 of our “Mission: Endure” sermon series, as we see what it means to live into our duties as AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST all the days of our lives.  Make plans to worship with us Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 … and bring friends!

Growing up I always had a desire to obey my parents.  While I was never a perfect kid, I always (at least at a foundational level) wanted to do what my parent’s wanted me to do.

Why is that?

Well (best I can figure), for two reasons.

1. I wanted to obey my parents because I respected them.  In our home, they set the rules, and so I wanted to live in light of them. I do not remember a lot of “being grounded” or other forms of punishment, but I do remember that the expectations for behavior were clear, and when I crossed those lines I could see (and often would hear about) their displeasure.  This was a big motivator for me. I knew my parents observed my life and that I was accountable to them for my behavior.  This caused me to “just say no” to some temptations that came my way, to come home (mostly) on time when curfew was set, and to speak with kindness and respect to my parents (and other adults in my life).  Because of the respect I had for them, I wanted to please them.
2. I wanted to obey my parents because I loved them.  My parents loved ME … and I always knew it.  I grew up in a home where my needs were provided for (emotionally, physically, spiritually).  There was warmth, friendship, and care that permeated our household.  Because of this love, I was motivated to behave in a way that demonstrated my love that I had for them.  The love in our home was (and is) reciprocal, and translated into a demonstrable pattern of behavior.

Now, when I say this, I know what some of you may be thinking – “Wow Mark, when it comes to parents you really ‘won the lottery.’  I wish I was that lucky!”  If this is your reaction, I would simply say – Yes.  I won the lottery when it comes to parents.  Through no good work I had done, by God’s grace, I was born into a family that had parents who were both respectable and loving.  I know that many of you reading this did not grow up with that blessing and had to persevere through absent or abusive parents, or saw a parent pass away while you were at an early age.  I do not know why (exactly) God allows these things.  Others reading this, though, also had parents like mine, and you have feelings of thankfulness welling up reading these thoughts today.

But here is something amazing …

Regardless of your earthly situation or past experience, I want to remind you of something important:  if you have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (or if you trust in Christ today and begin to follow Him), you and I SHARE THE SAME FATHER – Our Father who art in heaven – hallowed be His name! 

And, our Heavenly Father is both respectable AND loves us.

In 2 Corinthians 5:11-15, the Apostle Paul provides two reasons why He “makes it his aim to please God” — the respect/fear He has for God, and the love God has for him that has captivated his life.  This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be looking at these verses together in part 3 of our “Mission: Endure” sermon series as we find the true motivations and responses of those who are “in Christ.”  Can’t wait to look at these verses together.  We will do so this Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services.  Hope you can make it … and bring friends!

On Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.  This message was part 2 in the “Mission: Endure” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find the audio and video of the sermon to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
3. When was the last time you had a loved one pass away?  How have you dealt with this loss?  Does any truth of Christianity encourage you as you deal with this loss?
4. For the Christian, we are provided a home, clothing, fellowship in heaven (as we saw in this morning’s passage).  Is there any particular component of this encouragement that resonates with you most today?
5. Have you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?  If so, how does this impact you as you consider the reality of your own mortality?
6. In heaven we will see Jesus face to face.  How does knowing this help you “aim” the ambition of your life today?
7. What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

To listen offline, click the link to download:

Mission: Endure #2 4.23.23

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch the service, use YouTube online:

Do you like to tent camp?  Yes?  No?  Maybe?  It Depends?

I am a person who likes the IDEA of camping, more than camping itself.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the outdoors.  I love to hike, see creation, and experience things far from my ordinary world … but at the end of the day, I would strongly prefer to be in my bed at home.

Why is this?  Well, I have yet to have a tent camping experience that gave me the same restful sleep as I can have in my climate controlled home and on my king bed.  It has been my experience that it is very difficult to pack that mattress and central heat and air into a backpack I can reasonably carry … so when I hike, I long for the comfort of home.  Can anyone relate?

Now, this is not to say that tents are not valuable.  THEY ARE.  If you want to hike the Appalachian Trail or see the summits of Half Dome (AND NOT TAKE OUT A SECOND MORTGAGE), then the tent is the way to go.  If you plan to move from place to place nightly, taking your portable home with you by foot – the tent cannot be beaten.  The tent is amazing at being portable … it is just not as plush and more prone to breaking down than its more permanent relative – “the house.”

I was thinking about this today as I looked at 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.  These verses (written by a tent maker) talk about death, and what lies after.  The Apostle Paul compares our current physical bodies to a tent, that (for the believer in Jesus Christ) will one day be traded in for a heavenly home.

Let’s play with this analogy for a moment …

When life in this world is going well, things are good … like taking my tent out on a 70 degree day and setting it down on a bed of soft/level pine straw; I see things I would not see otherwise, and enjoy the moment.

When life in this world is going poorly (health concerns, relational strife, financial burdens), things are good … like my tent springing a leak during a rainstorm on a cold night as I toss and turn over a root poking me in the back, I rejoice that in just a few moments, the pain of the night will be over, and a warm comfortable bed awaits me at home.

In 2 Corinthians 4-7, the Apostle Paul is encouraging us to not “lose heart” as we live out our Christian lives.  One of the things that can cause us to lose heart is when we face death or deal with physical difficulties in life.  Paul’s encouragement?  This body is not your forever home … it is a tent that you will one day trade for a permanent home.  So live now in light of where you will be then, and you will be of good courage, regardless the circumstances.

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services we will share the Lord’s Supper together, and look at part 2 of our “Mission: Endure” sermon series, looking at 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.  Hope to see you there … and bring friends!

On Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  This message was part 1 of the “Mission: Endure” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
3. What are some stories you have heard or witnessed of people who once followed Jesus but have stopped following Him today?  Has there ever been a time in your life when you stopped following Jesus for a time/season?
4. Given what we saw this morning in 4:17, how AWESOME must God’s blessings for us be if they make the afflictions we experience today both “light” and “momentary” by comparison?
5. How does remembering who you are (and where you are headed) motivate you to “not lose heart” today?
6. What are some examples you are currently experiencing personally (or seeing in the lives of those around you) where the”outer man is wasting away”?  What are some examples you have seen in your life of your “inner man being renewed day by day”?
7. What is your plan to “see the unseen” through pouring over God’s Word, presenting ourselves to Him, and putting on His truth in obedience?
8. What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

Access these questions in pdf format by clicking here.

To listen offline, click the link to download:

Mission: Endure #1 4.16.23

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch the service, use YouTube online:

Life is full of hard things.  Loved ones die.  Sin is tempting, yet destructive.  Relationships get complicated.  Things break.  Storms rage.  Inflation inflates.  Illness (mental and physical) takes a toll.  Sticks and stones break our bones, and words do (in fact) hurt us.

So how do we keep going in the midst of a life like this?  How do we not lose heart?  And as Christians, how do we not give up our faith when what we prayed for does not happen, we are persecuted for our faith, or the “giant” never seems to fall?

Well, I saw a quote this past week from an ultra-marathoner (you know those crazy people who run 100 mile races) that I thought was intriguing.  Ultra-marathoner Dick Collins was asked how to prepare to run something so long.

His response?

“Decide the conditions that will cause you to stop and drop out BEFORE the race. You don’t want to be out there saying, ‘Well, gee, my leg hurts, I’m a little dehydrated, I’m sleepy, I’m tired, and it’s cold and windy.’ And, as a result, talk yourself into quitting. If you are making a decision based on how you feel at that moment, you will probably make the wrong decision.”

What a fascinating statement!  Decide in advance what would cause you to drop out, because challenges are sure to come.

Now I am guessing that most of you reading this are not going to attempt an ultra-marathon.  However, I do believe there is interesting insight from Collins’ statement for the Christian.  It is as if we might say, “How does the Christian run with Christ for the duration of the ultra-marathon of their earthly life?  How can we NOT GIVE UP SPIRITUALLY when things are hard or confusing or painful?”  With this question, Collins’ answer creates an interesting consideration for us.  “What circumstance might cause you to walk away from Christ?  What would have to occur to prompt you to walk away from your Lord and Savior – the One who bled and died for you and has promised you eternity?”

Outside of the emotion of the moment, the obvious answer for any true follower of Jesus would be …. NOTHING.  Nothing would be worth leaving Christ.  As Peter says to Jesus in John 6:68-69, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

That said, we still find temptation to “quit following Jesus” from time to time.  Pain, frustration, or difficulty try to push us to despair on a far-to-regular basis.  Sadly, the world is dotted with people who said “Lord I will follow you anywhere” at church camp or on a college retreat, but at some point jettisoned their faith.  Given this possibility, what perspectives should we keep close that would encourage us to endure … to not quit, even when our “legs hurt?”

This Sunday at Wildwood we will begin an 8 week sermon series that will walk us through 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 7:16 as we see how we might endure on the mission Christ has called us to.  This Sunday we kick things off with “Mission: Endure” part 1, focusing on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  I hope you make plans to be with us each week of this series over the next two months.  I want to run an ultra-marathon of faithfulness alongside each of you.  Let’s look to God’s Word to see how we can keep the pace.  See you Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 service … and bring friends!